Adding and Subtracting Big Numbers
Aligned to 4.NBT.B.4 — Common Core State Standards for Mathematics.
What this lesson teaches
Stack the numbers so the place values line up. Work from right to left. When a column adds to 10 or more, carry to the next column. When you cannot subtract, regroup by borrowing from the next column.
Worked example
4,562 + 2,758. Ones: 2+8=10, write 0 carry 1. Tens: 6+5+1=12, write 2 carry 1. Hundreds: 5+7+1=13, write 3 carry 1. Thousands: 4+2+1=7. Answer: 7,320.
Practice questions
- Add: 3,847 + 5,196.
- Subtract: 6,204 - 1,538.
- A store sold 4,125 tickets in June and 3,890 in July. How many tickets in all?
Watch the lesson
Every lesson comes with a video taught in English and Spanish — the same video the QR code in the printed workbook opens.
▶ Watch this lessonEn español
Sumar y restar numeros grandes
Acomoda los numeros para que los valores posicionales queden alineados. Trabaja de derecha a izquierda. Cuando una columna suma 10 o mas, lleva a la siguiente columna. Cuando no puedes restar, reagrupa pidiendo prestado de la siguiente columna.
Ejemplo: 4,562 + 2,758. Unidades: 2+8=10, escribe 0 y lleva 1. Decenas: 6+5+1=12, escribe 2 y lleva 1. Centenas: 5+7+1=13, escribe 3 y lleva 1. Millares: 4+2+1=7. Respuesta: 7,320.
More Number & Operations in Base Ten lessons
Teach this lesson today
An AI tutor that guides with questions instead of just giving answers — all K–12 core subjects, every child in the family.
Start free — no card required